Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) at Windwhistle Primary School
At Windwhistle Primary School, we’re proud to be part of the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme—an award-winning initiative that transforms playtimes into rich, inclusive, and joyful experiences for every child.
OPAL is based on the idea that play is essential for children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, and social development. Through this programme, we are re-imagining our outdoor spaces and play opportunities to ensure that every child has access to high-quality, creative, and adventurous play every day.
OPAL supports the Windwhistle values to aim high, respect others and have fun!
The OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme offers a wide range of benefits for children and their learning, both inside and outside the classroom. Here’s are some of the benefits that OPAL provides for children and for their learning.
🌟 Benefits for Children
1. Improved mental and emotional wellbeing
Children in OPAL schools report feeling happier, less stressed, and more excited about coming to school. Play provides a joyful outlet for emotional expression and helps reduce anxiety. At Windwhistle, this provides our children with a great outlet between lesson times.
2. Increased physical activity
OPAL encourages active, outdoor play for all children—including those who may not typically engage in sports. This helps improve fitness, coordination, and overall health. Here at Windwhistle we have incredible outdoor spaces in which to learn and play OPAL helps us all to use our grounds to their full potential in a safe and fun way.
3. Enhanced social skills
Playtime has become a extraordinary, a time where children practise cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution. Mixed-age and inclusive play builds friendships across all year groups and mutual support as children play and work together in imaginative play.
4. Boosted creativity and imagination
Children have access to a variety of materials and environments that inspire imaginative play, problem-solving, and innovation. We play with pallets, tyres, scooters and bikes. We dress up, we role play and we have a lot of fun!
5. Greater independence and risk management
OPAL supports children in learning to self-regulate, assess risks, and make decisions—skills that are essential for lifelong learning and resilience.
📚 Benefits for learning
1. More teaching time
Across the country, schools report gaining up to 30 hours of teaching time per year due to fewer post-playtime disputes and smoother transitions back into lessons.
2. Better classroom behaviour
Children return from play more settled and ready to learn, and we have seen significant reductions in behavioural issues.
3. Improved focus and engagement
Outdoor play helps children concentrate better and engage more deeply with their learning. It supports brain development and thinking as well as boosting enthusiasm for school.
4. Links to achievement in school
Creative and collaborative play nurtures skills that directly support success in the classroom, including problem-solving, literacy, and numeracy.
5. Inclusive learning environment
OPAL ensures that all children—regardless of ability or background—have access to meaningful play, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive school culture.
We’ve seen first-hand how OPAL helps children return to the classroom refreshed, focused, and ready to learn. It’s not just about fun—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and friendships.
We’re excited to continue developing our play spaces and welcome support from our school community. Whether it’s donating materials, volunteering time, or simply cheering us on, your involvement makes a big difference.
Together, we’re making playtime amazing—every day, for every child.
